New Delhi: Biju Janta Dal on Friday raised the issue of demolition of large number of temples in Jammu and Kashmir and asked centre why it has provided security to separatist elements who are propagating anti India rhetoric.
Participating in a debate on the resolution 'Immediate Steps for Rehabilitation and Welfare of Displaced Persons from Kashmir',in Lok sabh, B Mahtab of BJD described as "criminal" the fact that Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave the Valley because of terrorism beginning 1990 and only one family has returned despite the successive governments making plans and spending lot of money.
The BJD leader elaborated upon the damage and destruction of temples in Kashmir. Citing a Parliamentary Standing Committee report of 2009, he said at least 80 temples were missing from the list provided by the government. About 3.5 lakh Hindus had left the Valley after militancy and selective killing campaign began in 1989, he said.
Referring to data provided by the home secretary to a parliamentary sanding committee in 2009, Mahtab said there were 436 temples in Kashmir before 1989. "Temples intact were 266, damaged were 170 and temples renovated were 90. What happened to the remaining 80 temples there?" he asked.
Mahtab also wanted to know as to what happened to the recommendation by that Committee for declaring as null and void the sale of Kashmiri Pandits' properties.
The BJD member also questioned why security was given to separatists, he said,"How many such people are being provided protection and security by this government who, day in and day out, the moment they get a chance, speak against this nation?"
"Who are the people who threatened Kashmiri Pandits? Who are those people who killed the other minority community people in Pulwama? Who are those people who are, even today, threatening others that if they come they will not be safe? One may say, as was being mentioned by Prof Saugata Roy, they are the fifth columnist; they are supporters of Pakistan. But what does our government do? They claim that they are political activists." he asked.
Mahtab further expressed hope that he expectes the Modi government to be responsive and answer certain questions that are posed before the House.
Members from parties like BJD, BJP and Trinamool Congress unanimously condemned the pro-Pakistan elements for bringing about "ethnic cleansing" of minority Hindus from Kashmir Valley and asserted that the government should take strong steps to counter such attempts.
A private member resolution on displaced Kashmiri Pandits in Lok Sabha on Friday brought together different parties which unanimously pushed for their early return to the Valley while voicing concern over their pitiable conditions even 25 years after their migration due to terror.
